Reversed electron transfer through the bc1 complex enables a cytochrome c oxidase mutant (delta aa3/cbb3) of Paracoccus denitrificans to grow on methylamine

J. van der Oost, M. Schepper, A.H. Stouthamer, H V Westerhoff, R J van Spanning, J.-W. de Gier

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In Paracoccus denitrificans four classes of redox proteins are involved in the electron transfer from methylamine to oxygen:methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH), amicyanin, cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase. MADH and its electron acceptor amicyanin are indispensable for growth on methylamine. At least three different cytochromes c and two types of cytochrome c oxidase, cytochromes aa3 and cbb3, have previously been proposed to participate in the electron transfer pathways from methylamine to oxygen. In this study, participation of both cytochrome c oxidases and of the quinol oxidase (cytochrome bb3) has indeed been confirmed by analysis of a series of oxidase mutants. Interestingly, a P. denitrificans cytochrome c oxidase mutant (delta aa3/cbb3) retains the capacity to oxidise methylamine. It is demonstrated that the oxidation of the cytochrome c pool in this mutant does not proceed via an alternative cytochrome c oxidase, but rather via an 'uphill' electron transfer through the bc1 complex to ubiquinone, driven by the membrane potential. The subsequent oxidation of ubiquinol proceeds via the only remaining terminal oxidase, the bb3-type quinol oxidase.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)267-70
Number of pages4
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume371
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 1995

Keywords

  • Culture Media
  • Electron Transport
  • Electron Transport Complex III
  • Electron Transport Complex IV
  • Methanol
  • Methylamines
  • Mutation
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Paracoccus denitrificans
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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